Author Topic: 1970 Ambassador Project (Read 3537 times)

Dave Swanson · « **on:** May 24, 2026, 07:46:50 AM »

Quite a few years ago I bought a set of Ambo Gilardonis when they were sporadically available thinking that one day I would find a suitable bike for them.

Those Gilardonis were looking pretty lonely on the shelf so I put out feelers for a bike that needed them. The Guzzi Doctor (Joe) pointed me in the direction of Harpers a few weeks ago.

I just returned from the 1000 mile round trip to pick this baby up. It is original paint which is my favorite and is very original and complete. It hasn't been on the road since 1985.

Myself and my partner in crime, Joey The Guzzi Getter left yesterday afternoon and arrived at the front gate about 1 am. I had a big air mattress to sleep on, which Joey thought was great.

The gates opened up at 9 and Joey had the run of the place while I talked to Curtis and got the bike strapped down. Then it was another 500 miles home.

This will be a fun one.

kballowe · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2026, 08:43:50 AM »

Dave -

Just ride that one.

-or- I'll come and get it and then ride it for you.

Nice find !

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2026, 08:58:08 AM »

The big challenge on the path to retaining the OG paint is how to make this rear fender look more presentable. It had extra holes drilled for the Rube Goldberg saddlebag support. The bracket also distorted the fender. I am all for patina, just not nasty patina.

BMCMOTO · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2026, 10:31:30 AM »

Ouch! That's nasty!
I hope and have confidence that you will find an entirely appropriate solution.

Brian

cmice · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2026, 11:22:08 AM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on May 24, 2026, 08:58:08 AM

The big challenge on the path to retaining the OG paint is how to make this rear fender look more presentable. It had extra holes drilled for the Rube Goldberg saddlebag support. The bracket also distorted the fender. I am all for patina, just not nasty patina.

Dang - ya that's tough. A random thought is rather than trying to patch it up and blend it in, maybe make a simple cover plate(s) that just hides it. Given the shape is out that might be harder than it sounds, but ya I'd hate to tear into that paint as it's pretty perfect just as it is. Maybe one of the paintless-dent-removal guys can get the shape back and then the cover plate idea or just some button-head screws would be clean enough to make it disappear?

wirespokes · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2026, 01:11:42 PM »

Here's an idea. Machine some buttons matching the hole diameter with a little larger circumference so they could be mounted on the rear side. Solder them to the rear side of the fender, then carefully paint them to match and blend in.

cmice · « **Reply #6 on:** May 24, 2026, 05:56:33 PM »

Another idea is to 3D print a larger taillight mounting box, and hide the holes underneath that - then remount the taillight to the box.

Huzo · « **Reply #7 on:** May 24, 2026, 07:41:17 PM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on May 24, 2026, 08:58:08 AM

The big challenge on the path to retaining the OG paint is how to make this rear fender look more presentable. It had extra holes drilled for the Rube Goldberg saddlebag support. The bracket also distorted the fender. I am all for patina, just not nasty patina.

I would remove the fender and the tab above the top two holes.
Then make a new (painted black) tab that reaches down to the offending top two holes and incorporate them as mounting points for the fender.
That would look like it was supposed to be there from the get go, get a mettallic Guzzi badge and affix it to the mounting bracket that you made and I reckon it would look legit.

Now the bottom two…

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2026, 11:22:00 AM »

Just playing with some easy stuff before it gets serious.

I have a stash of 50 year old MG waterslide decals. They are so fragile it is next to impossible to apply them without damaging them. With this bike - perfect!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2026, 05:26:07 PM »

One big item in the plus column is the chrome tank panels. A quick and gentle going over with Colonel Brassy and they look like this. None nicer!

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2026, 06:31:46 PM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on May 26, 2026, 05:26:07 PM

One big item in the plus column is the chrome tank panels. A quick and gentle going over with Colonel Brassy and they look like this. None nicer!

Beautiful!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2026, 12:52:31 PM »

Oddities discovered during teardown so far.

Someone had the right head off at one time. When reassembling they left the orings out under the rocker support plate, and installed orings on all 6 studs on top of the head gasket.

I can imagine someone who might have bought this to say "lets see if it runs!".

Found on top of the left piston. BTW those old chrome barrels look pretty good. HA

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #12 on:** May 27, 2026, 02:29:19 PM »

As I suspected but was hoping otherwise, I found the exhaust system to be a rotted mess after removal today. The only piece acceptable to use is the right header and perhaps the crossover.

This adds a layer of extra parts procurement, $$$ and tipped the scale a bit more towards a full on restoration.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2026, 04:41:48 PM »

If I maintain this bike as a patina preservation I could get by with a left big hole muffler and left header.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2026, 12:41:05 PM »

Just got back from Joe The Guzzi Doctor. He set me up with a sound exhaust system with all the right levels of patina, and no rot!

Joey loves this guy.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2026, 04:14:41 PM »

A 90 minute session with 0000 steel wool and WD40 resulted in this. It has the perfect amount of patina for the bike and is a very solid unit.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2026, 07:54:00 PM »

Gave the old exhaust a good going over with Colonel Brassy for the final stage. This will do very nicely!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2026, 01:09:58 PM »

Here's a mystery for you!

This morning I removed the final drive, and swingarm. I was very pleased with the overall condition of everything I saw, especially the splines.

The u-joint was a bit tough to get out and I had to use my press to push it out. When the u-joint came out the carrier bearing metal seal came with it. When I peered in I could see there was 2 balls missing from the carrier bearing. I looked in the boot for the loose balls and checked the u-joint to see if they had gotten mashed in there, but NOTHING! Where did those balls go?? This will forever be a mystery!

I again used Charlie's method of using a blind bearing puller in combination with a press to remove the carrier bearing. Easy peasy!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2026, 07:30:19 AM »

This was posted on Harpers FB page.

character count in word

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2026, 06:02:58 PM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on May 30, 2026, 01:09:58 PM

Here's a mystery for you!

This morning I removed the final drive, and swingarm. I was very pleased with the overall condition of everything I saw, especially the splines.

The u-joint was a bit tough to get out and I had to use my press to push it out. When the u-joint came out the carrier bearing metal seal came with it. When I peered in I could see there was 2 balls missing from the carrier bearing. I looked in the boot for the loose balls and checked the u-joint to see if they had gotten mashed in there, but NOTHING! Where did those balls go?? This will forever be a mystery!

I again used Charlie's method of using a blind bearing puller in combination with a press to remove the carrier bearing. Easy peasy!

I think all of the balls are there, but without the cage (where did that go?) they've all moved together. A metal shielded bearing wasn't a good choice either. I use the 2RS, C3 clearance.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #20 on:** June 01, 2026, 08:21:52 PM »

I really enjoy this stage of the project. All of the questions about the real condition of the bike are revealed step by step. So far I am pleased with what I have found. Under all the vintage touring accessories that were de rigueur back in the day, this is an extremely original machine.

I am very interested in what I will find during the engine teardown. I am hoping to find a pristine bottom end. We will see.

It will be very satisfying alone to de-grime the 50+ plus year old coating of grease and dirt.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2026, 07:37:29 PM »

I spent a few hours on the front fender today. Scrubbed the grunge off the underside and outside followed by a few stages of polishing and the results are very rewarding.

The pinstriping has a very cool patina in the front. Pinstriping on the back looks NOS.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #22 on:** June 03, 2026, 02:25:17 PM »

New Duro HF308 4:00-18s installed. The old rubber was from 1979!

Scrubbed the wheels and hubs for what seemed like forever. But worth it.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #23 on:** June 04, 2026, 07:39:16 AM »

Current state.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #24 on:** June 04, 2026, 08:27:54 AM »

The white Loops seemed to have the least durable paint, most of the time it's cracked and flaking. Yours looks great!

Wheels look great too.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #25 on:** June 04, 2026, 04:14:16 PM »

Time to dig in!

News:

Author Topic: 1970 Ambassador Project (Read 3537 times)